SAINDAK: The MCC Resources Development Co Ltd (MRDL), a Chinese company working on Saindak copper-cum-gold project, on Tuesday celebrated the completion of its 20 years of operations and vowed to continue efforts to develop the mining sector in Pakistan.

A ceremony to commemorate the event was attended by MRDL Chairman He Xuping, President Zhang Zhijun, Senior Vice President Muhammad Nawaz Khan, Vice President Humayun Mehmood, Saindak Metals Limited (SML) Managing Director Muhammad Raziq Sanjrani and tribal elders.

Mr Xuping said MRDL arrived in Sandak in 1987 and since 1992, Pakistan and China have worked together and set up a non-ferrous metal mine which integrates mining, concentrating and smelting.

He added that in 2002 the company was entrusted by the governments of the two countries and it marked the beginning of “stable operations” in Saindak, which continued even after 20 years.

MRDL marks 20 years of operations in Saindak

He recalled that the mine had been shut for many years in 2002, but the Chinese and Pakistani workers strived to achieve systematic restoration of the entire production process in just 11 months, which would take three years as per standard practices in the industry.

“Over the past two decades, the company has standardised its management, fulfilled cooperation agreements and worked together with SML for development while maintaining stability and high efficiency.”

Even during the economic crisis of 2008 and Covid-19 pandemic, the project achieved brilliant results and uplifted the surrounding areas, he added.

The project has so far produced more than 290,000 tonnes of blister copper, resulted in foreign exchange worth $2.6 billion, paid more than $500 million to the lessor, created more than 1,900 jobs and paid $1.2b for local procurement.

As a positive outcome of the project, Mr Xuping said MRDL has trained a large number of mining engineers and other experts which will fulfil the future needs of the mining sector. “We are committed to building a bigger and strong mining industry for Pakistan.”

He also announced the project has been incorporated as a “mega project” in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2022